Final report from the lovely Sue K
7, 8, 9 February - Sea Days back to Southampton

Thursday

The weather stayed with us and another sunny morning on deck. Unfortunately just before lunch the clouds proved too much for the weak winter sun. The sea was still very calm but with long swells which caused some movement on the ship and the water in the Terrace pool was very lively.

I went to the Battle of the sexes which ended up with the ladies winning the day but the men leading overall.

We spent an hour sorting the cabin and started the packing. It is amazing how much rubbish we had accumulated over the 7 weeks we had been on board.

Graffiti classics were in the the theatre but having seen them last cruise we spent the evening in the Crows Nest.

Friday

A very busy day with everything being crammed into the last couple of days of the cruise.

After breakfast in the main dining room I went up to the buffet to watch the Conservatory team parade. I had never seen this done before and think it’s a wonderful idea. The team have worked so hard and it was great to be given the chance to show our appreciation.

As noon became one o clock the Battle of sexes started as did the Fish & chip lunch in the LordsTavern. The food was great but once again the ladies lost the battle. We won the general knowledge round but the guessing round which held the most points we lost dramatically.

The Chocoholics Afternoon tea was held in the restaurant and there was a great assortment of everything involving chocolate. It was a chocolate lovers heaven. I took lots of photos but as I am not a chocolate fan I had no problem leaving the food alone.

It was the Final formal night and the parade of the Chefs. A great P & O tradition and a chance for the passengers to show their appreciation to the galley crew.

John Martin the Comedian was in the Pacific Lounge.

We went to see the Headliners show We’ll Meet Again but the Oriana was rolling around because of the huge swells. As soon as I walked into the theatre I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to stay there. Instead we headed for the Lords Tavern where Protocol were singing. It was a another great night in the pub.

Saturday

The sea has calmed down considerably but still gave a lurch at times. The sun came out and although very cold outside at least it looked bright.

There was nearly a riot in library as passengers collected the crossword only to find yesterdays answers weren’t there. It had been printed incorrectly and the days before answers had been printed in error. One man shouted at the librarian they are hard enough with out printing errors. He then stormed off to reception to complain. He wasn’t being very serious about it but wanted an explanation.

My friend Vicky had won 2 tickets for the champagne galley walk through and as Roger didn’t want to go she offered me his ticket. It started at 10:30 a.m, which even for me is a little early for champagne and Canapés but we gave it a good go. After the tour we were given a glass of Tattinger and as it was not far off midday it was much more civilised.

From there we went straight to the final Battle of the sexes which was a bit of a let down. Carl had promised an exciting finish with lots of points to play for which would mean the ladies had a chance. The men were over 500 points in front so we needed a miracle. In the end we just played 3 games with only 30 points available to win for all 3 games. It was a bit of a let down for the final battle but overall it has been a great event every sea day and as the ladies won the first sector it ended as a draw.

We finished the dreaded packing which didn’t take long and put all but one case and a hold-all out for collection.

Our last dinner on Oriana and I felt very emotional saying goodbye to our fabulous waiters Nestor and Santosh and wine waiter Mario.

Protocol were doing their final show ever P & O in the Crows Nest. They have certainly worked very hard this cruise and have been our first choice for entertainment most evenings.

We have thoroughly enjoyed both cruises on Oriana. The food on board has been exceptional as has the service from the waiters on board. The crew are obviously very happy which is a credit to the management team, The smaller ships mean that the crew become one big family.

The entertainment team worked hard and there was a great variety of entertainment on board, not always to our taste but something for everyone.

Captain Alan who was on from Southampton until Barbados kept us all informed and was very visible and approachable. Captain Sarah took over in Barbados and has a completely different management style.

We heard from her in Barbados and when we left Antigua but was not heard from again until we were leaving Praia Vittoria. The only time I saw her was at the Peninsular party. As long as the ship is in safe hands it doesn’t really matter who the Captain is but having a communicative and approachable Captain certainly adds some interest to the cruise.

Sunday

We docked at Mayflower terminal around 6 am and were the only ship in Southampton. We had an early disembarkation and had arranged to meet Kenneth in the Atrium at 8 a.m. to say our farewells. Shortly afterwards the announcement came to disembark. I was very emotional as we said goodbye but Ken took one of my hand luggage and escorted us to the escalator. I felt very spoilt with the Food & Beverage Manager acting as my porter. We said goodbye yet again and he went back to work and with tears in my eyes we went in search of our cases.

As our cabin was on D deck which has the least number of cabins, with the help of a porter we soon found them all.

The customs officers were out in force with sniffer dogs one of which was particularly interested in my Guess handbag. Apparently it could smell cash but after confirming that I only had a small amount she let me through with no problem. Steve our taxi driver was ready and waiting for us. The easiest disembarkation ever.

Ben & Lisa from Cruisepark Southampton had our car ready and soon loaded it up. We were on our way home by 08:45 and home just after 1 p.m.

We are taking a break from cruising this year and are not due back on board until 21 December 2019 which is on Aurora.

We are taking a break from cruising this year and are not due back on board until 21 December 2019 which is on Aurora.

I have thanked Sue for her wonderful reports on another forum but it made me wonder how we are going to fill the massive gap she will leave on this forum without her cruise reports to read. Perhaps she will keep us updated with any other type of holiday she takes but hopefully the gap will be filled with others of us writing reviews about our holidays of any kind so that this great forum doesn't grind to a halt once the subject of Brexit gets sorted (if it ever does) as it currently appears to be the mainstay of the forum.

I was pleased to see a couple of new threads and updates on here today that covered subjects other than Brexit.

Thank you Sue for your excellent reports. It has been a joy to read them whilst enduring the winter. I am going to miss them that's for sure. You cannot expect us to go without them until December can you?!! Perhaps you will slip in a late booking sometime so that I can get my fix!!

We are taking a break from cruising this year and are not due back on board until 21 December 2019 which is on Aurora.

I have thanked Sue for her wonderful reports on another forum but it made me wonder how we are going to fill the massive gap she will leave on this forum without her cruise reports to read. Perhaps she will keep us updated with any other type of holiday she takes but hopefully the gap will be filled with others of us writing reviews about our holidays of any kind so that this great forum doesn't grind to a halt once the subject of Brexit gets sorted (if it ever does) as it currently appears to be the mainstay of the forum.

I was pleased to see a couple of new threads and updates on here today that covered subjects other than Brexit.

Maureen

I have a feeling Brexit will grind on for several years yet, and the same people will be posting the same stuff in three years time! ( I include myself )

However, we are all people who like cruising, and like travel in general, so I would love it if the focus returned more to these pursuits.

It takes a bit of effort to write a report, and especially to do a report on a daily basis, like Sue does. I did go through a stage of doing a daily diary while I was on a cruise, and posting it all when I got back. However, after a 35 night cruise and a 49 night cruise,I found it quite fatiguing, so I've gone back to doing a report when I return from my cruise.

For anybody who does a cruise report, it is appreciated 100% by me, so if you are not sure whether to post a report, please don't be shy, I would love to read it. Same goes for any sort of holiday report, not to mention days out.

My next cruise will be in May, and I'll be doing a report. Would be delighted to see reports from other travellers too

Well I am happy to do a report from our holiday in Mauritius next month, but although we do intend to see something of the island, we also intend to spend some considerable time horizontal on a sunbed or face down in the sea snorkeling.

But if anyone is interested, I am happy to write something. The flight might be interesting as we have really pushed the boat out for this one - pardon the pun!

Ok, I can’t promise it’ll be blow your socks off exciting, but I always enjoy reading about people’s trips and places, so maybe it’ll pass a few minutes for members every now and again.

Look forward to hearing all about your holiday Gill - like you I find other people’s experiences interesting to hear about - I always appreciate the comments made by members when I post reports but Sue is a legend - such detail

We were in Mauritius just 12 months ago for a special birthday of mine.
Whilst we really wanted to see the island, it was so very hot and humid we barely left the hotel grounds and beach. A cyclone had just passed the island and its remains were still being felt.

The flight was good with Air Mauritius, direct to Port Louis from Heathrow.
We managed to successfully bid for business class seats on both journeys so it did make a difference (surprising how many passengers change into PJs to sleep)!

If there is one thing I would recommend it is to do an excursion out on a boat with Eric. It was absolutely fantastic. Just the two of us with Eric, a very passionate Mauritian who knew everything about every piece of land and every bit of sea.
Finishing up with lobster lunch on a deserted beach, does not get much better.

Have a super time.

Silkworms

Just google Eric in Mauritius, you will find it somewhere there amongst all the
Five star reviews.

Thanks so much for the tip, Silkworms, but I’m afraid I can’t go on a small boat at all. Despite being ok on a cruise a small boat is a complete no no. I did once take a night fishing trip on a flat calm lagoon in the Maldives, and was promptly sick over the side and spent the rest of the trip lying down! And afraid as a veggie lobster doesn't appeal either.

David and I are booked to travel from London to Venice on the Orient Express on 28th/29th April. If anyone is interested I will post a report on our journey on the train. We're celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary on the 29th April so thought we'd do something special.

Absolutely Gill. It's always interesting to read about others travels. I've often looked at those trips that combine the London/Venice or Venice/London combined with a Mediterranean cruise which now seem to include more cruise lines than just Cunard, although I wouldn't mind Cunard!

David and I are booked to travel from London to Venice on the Orient Express on 28th/29th April. If anyone is interested I will post a report on our journey on the train. We're celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary on the 29th April so thought we'd do something special.

Lynda

Yes, I'd be very interested. We did a lunch on the Orient Express for our 30th wedding Anniversary, and may do a day out on the Orient Express for our 40th in 2021. However, I'd love to read about the 'full monty' of going all the way to Venice.

Thank you all for your comments. My reports started as an e mail to my father who does not travel very far anymore although I do go to the family villa in Nerja with him annually. He now travels through our experiences so I don’t find it a chore to write about them. They also act as a diary for us to look back on and also settle disputes about the places we have visited and when and on which ship.

I would love to read about everyone’s travel experiences either in the UK or abroad.

Our next holiday is to Mauritius at the end of April so looking forward to reading about Gills experience. Garrry is dreading the flying experience but agreed to this holiday as it has been a dream of mine to visit there since I saw a film about it when I was in my teens. I hope it lives up to my expectations as we could have done a super cruise for the cost of 10 nights in Mauritius.

Wishing you and Garry a wonderful holiday in Mauritius and I am pleased that you have seen how much pleasure your reports have given to everyone. Hopefully we can carry on your good work as I know we all enjoy reading about each others holidays.

Sue, I would definitely recommend Eric in Mauritius for a day out.
His website is called Speedboat Seaduction. The places he takes you
for snorkelling are heavenly. If you google his site or even trip advisor
you will see the fabulous reviews.

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